2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

GTI meets SUV

When Volkswagen decided to launch the U.S.-spec Tiguan in Colorado, we wondered...could it be that the 200-bhp turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter inline-4 from the GTI didn't mind breathing the less-dense air? Maybe it was because the twisty roads suited the Tiguan's street manners?

Either way, the Tiguan handled the mountainous terrain surrounding the Boulder area with ease. We drove the 4Motion all-wheel drive as well as front-drive models and were impressed with the dynamics of both.

Handling and response were sedan-like, sporty even, but when you realize the underpinnings are from a hybrid of Golf, Jetta and Passat platforms, the agility of the car makes sense. This isn't an off-roader; it's a street-hauler.

And as a utility vehicle, the Tiguan does not disappoint. It features a unique, reclinable, split-folding rear seat that incorporates 6 in. of fore/aft adjustability and a front passenger seat that folds flat, allowing you to slide in items up to 10 ft. long.

With three trim choices, options are easy. The front-drive-only S model features 16-in. wheels and a cloth interior, with your choice of a 6-speed auto or manual transmission. The SE adds more power equipment, 17-in. wheels and upgraded cloth. The SEL throws in even more power equipment, 18-in. wheels and a leather interior. The S with a manual transmission starts at $23,200, the mid-level SE $26,925 and the SEL at $30,990, with 4Motion-equipped SE and SELs stickering for $28,875 and $32,940, respectively.

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